How to unclog a drain when drain cleaner doesn't work?

Author: Helmer Daniel  |  Last update: Sunday, June 29, 2025

Use ½-1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar, plus a bit of water if you want to dilute things a little bit more. Pour it down the drain and let it sit for 30-60 minutes. Sometimes, this mixture can break up clogs that even Drano can't touch!

What do you do when drain cleaner doesn't work?

Try adding a few pots of boiling water. For some reason, in my house I have to use boiling water as the water from the tap doesn't work with draino. Add the water, see if it drains. If so, then flush with more boiling water and then hot tap water.

How do you unclog a drain that won't come unclogged?

Baking Soda and Salt: Combine equal parts baking soda and salt, pour it down the drain, and follow with boiling water after about 30 minutes. Plunger: Use a plunger to create suction and dislodge the clog. Make sure to cover any overflow openings.

How to unclog a drain if Drano doesn't work?

Use 1⁄2-1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar, plus a bit of water if you want to dilute things a little bit more. Pour it down the drain and let it sit for 30-60 minutes. Sometimes, this mixture can break up clogs that even Drano can't touch!

Why should you never use baking soda and vinegar to unclog a drain?

The fizzing reaction and gas created may help loosen some small blockages. However, it is not typically strong enough to break down larger clogs or remove hard-to-reach debris. As a result of the above facts, if you have a serious drain clog, using baking soda and vinegar is unlikely to be effective.

How To Unclog Drain 4 Ways

Why do plumbers say not to use Drano?

Even after the Drano exits your plumbing system, it can contaminate the local water supply causing harm to plants and animals.

What to do if clogged drain plunger doesn t work?

The dynamic duo of baking soda and vinegar can be a lifesaver in unclogging a toilet. Start by pouring about one cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl, followed by two cups of vinegar. This mixture will create a foaming action that can break down the clog. Let it sit for about 30 minutes, and then flush the toilet.

Is baking soda and vinegar better than Drano?

Using baking soda and vinegar to unclog a drain is an effective and natural cleaning method, which some people prefer over harsher chemicals. It works great for weaker drain clogs. By using this mixture periodically, you may be able to avoid clogs altogether (and the need for a more powerful cleaner like Drano).

What do plumbers use to unclog drains?

Plumbers choose hydro jetting equipment for the most stubborn, deep-set clogs. This drain clearing tool uses high-pressure water to flush your pipes and remove years of buildup. The water jet is so strong that it can even break up any tree roots that have found their way into your sewer line.

How do I unclog a deep clog?

How To Unblock A Clogged Drain Deep In Pipe
  1. Using a Toilet Plunger or Plunger.
  2. Applying Baking Soda and Vinegar.
  3. Employing a Drain Snake or Plumbing Auger.
  4. Hydro Jetting Techniques.

Will a clogged drain eventually drain?

While it's not the end of the world, it won't cause immediate damage to your home and the water will eventually drain away, a slow drain is still a problem that needs to be fixed. A drain that is slow to empty will mean there is already a clog in the system and, over time, one that will only get worse.

How to unclog a drain when nothing works?

Pour one-half cup table salt down the drain, followed by boiling water. Or try a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar—let it bubble, wait 15 minutes, then pour boiling water down the drain. You can also try a cup of baking soda and a half-cup of salt; let it sit for several hours, then flush with boiling water.

What happens if you leave drain cleaner in the drain too long?

The chemicals in the product are designed to break own the clog, but if left for too long, they can start to break down the pipes themselves. This can lead to cracks and leaks in the pipes, leading to various issues, including water damage and flooding.

What to do if liquid Plumr doesn't work?

What to Do if Liquid Plumr Doesn't Work
  1. Assess and Locate the Clog. Before taking further action, it's important to assess how severe the clog is. ...
  2. Try a Plunger. ...
  3. Use a Drain Snake. ...
  4. Avoid Using More Chemicals. ...
  5. Consider Professional Help.

What to do when drain cleaner doesn't work?

Baking soda and vinegar may unclog your drain better than Drano ever could.

How do you unblock a badly blocked drain?

Mix 1/3rd of a cup of bicarbonate of soda with 1/3rd of a cup of vinegar in a measuring cup. It will fizz immediately, and you should waste no time pouring it down the clogged drain. The fizzing action will help to remove the gunk, hair, and grime that has built up in the blocked drain pipe.

What is the next step if a plunger doesn't work?

Boiling Water

If you can't unclog the toilet using a plunger or a snake, your next best option is to use boiling water. Boiling water can help to dissolve the clog and free up the pipes. To use this method, bring a pot of water to a boil and pour it into the toilet.

What can you use to unclog a drain if you don't have Drano?

Baking soda and white vinegar are sustainable substitutions for Drano. Most people have these items in their pantry at any given time. Pour a half cup of baking soda into your drain with a half cup of white vinegar. Let it sit for about thirty minutes, then pour in boiling water.

Is boiling water bad for pipes?

Chemical cleaners can eat away at your pipes, and boiling water can melt important components. Over time, this damage can lead to leaks and expensive plumbing repairs.

Can drain cleaner make a clog worse?

It's also possible for drain cleaners to end up making a clog worse. This can happen for a few reasons: First, the chemicals in drain cleaners can corrode pipes and cause damage over time. This can lead to leaks or even bursting, which can make a clog worse by creating additional blockages.

How to unclog a deep drain clog?

A plunger can be effective for dislodging clogs near the drain opening. For deeper clogs, a drain snake or auger can reach and break up blockages inside the pipe. Hydro jetting kits, which use high-pressure water to clear pipes, are also available for more persistent clogs.

What is the best household item to unclog a drain?

Baking soda and vinegar is a tried-and-tested mixture for unclogging drains. Since you probably have these ingredients lying around, this is also one of the most cost-effective drain cleaners you can make at home. Pour one cup of baking soda down the affected drain, immediately followed by one cup of white vinegar.

What is safe to pour down the drain to unclog it?

Add a half cup of vinegar and put something over the drain. Wait half an hour and then pour boiling water into the drain. Dish detergent: For a clogged toilet, pour a quarter cup of dish detergent into the bowl and then pour hot water over it. Use a plunger.

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